Quiboloy pleads not guilty | The Manila Times

(UPDATE) APOLLO Quiboloy, the televangelist who calls himself the “anointed son of God,” pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges filed against him and four co-defendants in separate trials.

The leaders of the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC), Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemane, were first brought before a regional court in Pasig City to face summons in a human trafficking case.

Later in the day, they also pleaded not guilty via video conference before a Quezon City court in a non-bailable child sexual abuse case.

WELL PROTECTED Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Son of God,” is brought to the Pasig Court of First Instance to enter a “not guilty” plea on charges including child abuse and sex trafficking on September 13, 2024. Aside from the heavy security, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ wore a helmet and a bulletproof vest. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

Attorney Israelito Torreon told reporters that his client Quiboloy has pleaded not guilty because he is innocent of the charges.

Quiboloy surrendered on Sunday at his sprawling religious compound in Davao City, during an operation involving more than 2,000 police officers.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), five more women have come forward accusing Quiboloy of rape.

The 74-year-old pastor is also on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most-wanted list for child trafficking, visa fraud and money laundering.

The US was expected to request the extradition of Quiboloy and his co-defendants at some point, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said they must first appear in court in the Philippines.

In his heyday, Quiboloy was one of the most influential religious leaders in the Philippines. He had a large following and was seen as a political leader.

He and his co-defendants are accused of recruiting young followers. They were lured into submitting to the “divine will” and promised scholarships and foreign travel. Later, however, they were forced to solicit money through false means, such as singing carols door to door and selling cakes and cookies.

According to the indictment, the victims were threatened and beaten when they failed to meet collection quotas and did not comply with orders.

Even more disturbing, Quiboloy and his top associates were accused of tricking Filipino and foreign girls, some as young as 12, into serving as privileged “pastorals.” These girls were forced to give Quiboloy massages in his bedroom, after which he raped them.

Several of the alleged victims testified earlier this year at a Senate hearing on Quiboloy’s alleged crimes, including a woman from Ukraine who testified via video because of the war in her country.

According to Interior Minister Benhur Abalos, Quiboloy was effectively using religion as a cover for crime.

“This is one of the most extreme abuses, because faith is something sacred,” he told AP.

Quiboloy has made outrageous claims that have raised questions about his character but also endeared him to his fanatical followers.

In the US, federal prosecutors announced charges against Quiboloy in 2021 for allegedly having sex with women and underage girls who faced threats of abuse and “eternal damnation” unless they complied with the self-proclaimed “Son of God.”

The accusations were made by former followers of Quiboloy.

Defense and prosecution lawyers were physically present during the arraignment before the Quezon City Court, Branch 106, presided over by Judge Noel Parel.

Pearl scheduled the preliminary investigation for October 2.

Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said Quiboloy asked the court in Pasig to place him under hospital confinement, citing his age and various ailments as reasons.

Fajardo said Quiboloy’s lawyers wanted him and Canada transferred to a medical facility in Davao.

Davao City Police Chief Col. Hansel Marantan said in a radio interview Friday that two of Quiboloy’s five alleged sex slaves were willing to testify against him.

Marantan also said that another 15 minors need to be rescued at the KoJC complex.

Also on Friday, the Department of National Defense (DND) filed a motion in Quezon City court opposing the request of Quiboloy and his co-defendants to be transferred to military custody.

Erik Lawrence Dy, deputy secretary of the DND Legal and Legislative Affairs Department, said the cases were against the five heinous crimes that should be tried in a civilian court.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) detention facilities were meant for military officers and personnel charged or convicted of service-related offenses and under the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial, Dy said.

The DND has filed a similar motion in the Pasig court, he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday that Quiboloy should attend the next hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which she chairs.

Hontiveros said there are many more members of the KoJC who want to testify against him.

She said Quiboloy and his co-defendants “have caused unspeakable pain to women, children and the most vulnerable. Bringing them to justice is a major step toward full justice.”

“We are extremely grateful to Amanda, who was one of the first to testify publicly, through the Senate, to expose Quiboloy’s systematic rape, abuse and exploitation,” the senator said.

Quiboloy has a standing warrant for his arrest from the Senate and House of Representatives for repeatedly ignoring their subpoenas.

The House is investigating alleged violations of the legislative branch’s terms and conditions by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the broadcasting arm of the KoJC.